Between TVs and displays that use LED backlighting or none at all in the case of OLED technology, there are options in the middle ground in terms of performance and cost.
One of them is Mini-LED, an evolved version that is smaller than traditional LED – and therefore can be deployed in bigger numbers to create greater contrast – but is not as high-priced as OLED. Mini-LED also lacks the burn-in risks associated with OLED and therefore offers a longer life span.
Analysts are saying it’s the technology of choice in TVs larger than 60in and will get traction in monitors, laptops, tablets, automotive displays and wearable devices in the coming years. Global Mini-LED TV shipments stood at 3.1 million units in 2022 and were projected to have doubled in 2023, in addition to reaching 1.7 million units in other applications, according to Omdia.
In China, many display manufacturers have adopted Mini-LED technology in their product releases in recent years. TCL, its main advocate, has introduced a series of Mini-LED TVs in sizes 55 to 115in. The company has also been acquiring related patents, owning 99,402 by the end of 2022. It uses HVA panels instead of VA ones for better contrast, realizing 7,000:1, and self-developed driver ICs and wide-angle lenses for enhanced brightness, color and evenness.
The other major TV makers in China that have ventured into the Mini-LED category include Hisense and Xiaomi.
Apple has Macs and iPads with Mini-LED displays, specifically the 14.1 and 16in MacBook Pro and 12.9in iPad Pro.
More investment coming
The explosive growth of the Mini-LED market in China in recent years has been attracting more investment. The mid- and large-size display segments were $1.81 billion and $780 million in market scale in 2021, respectively posting 773 and 193 percent increases year on year, according to Zhiyan Consulting Network. The same source reported that they were estimated to have reached $7.22 billion and $2.63 billion in 2023 and will continue to rise significantly in the next two or three years, both in China and global markets.
This is the reason for new investment in China since 2020. Based on what GGII gathered, allocations for Mini-LED and MicroLED projects amounted to $5.97 billion, $10.41 billion and $9.72 billion in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
APT installed several production lines for Mini-LED backlighting and now has a monthly capacity of 300 million units. The company will continue to allot resources to boost this in anticipation of demand.
BOE, meanwhile, is spending $4.02 billion in a new project, which will be in a 420,210sqm area and will turn out 50,000 VR and Mini-LED panels every month when mass production is reached in 2025.
In the manufacturing sector for LED chips and modules, there are ongoing initiatives as well. Hunan Lanxin has invested $830 million to achieve an annual production capacity of 500,000 Mini-LED chips and 66,000sqm modules in 2024.
Multinational production pool
There are over a hundred manufacturers of Mini-LED displays in China, including foreign companies, and they offer other types of displays and various optoelectronic components. The leading homegrown companies include Leyard, Unilumin, LianTronics, Hongli, Cedar Electronics and Absen.
More than half of these suppliers are found in Guangdong and Fujian, with many in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhongshan and Xiamen and others in Suzhou, Changzhou, Hangzhou and Qingdao. There are also factories inland, such as in Chengdu and Nanchang, where labor costs are lower.
China-made Mini-LED displays
Mini-LED displays sourced from Chinese companies use LED chips in sizes of 50 to 200µm. These have a pixel pitch ranging from 0.2 to 0.9mm, brightness level of over 1,000cd/sqm and contrast ratio of 10,000:1. Customization is widely accepted.
The main components used in the production of Mini-LED displays include LED chips, substrates and driver ICs. They respectively account for 15 to 20 percent, 30 to 35 percent and 30 to 45 percent of costs. These inputs are sourced from domestic or foreign companies, depending on buyers’ preferences.
For LED chips, San’an, HC SemiTek, Changelight and Focus Lighting are some of the top Chinese providers.
Thanks to stable component costs and mass and improved production, most Chinese suppliers of Mini-LED displays were able to lower their prices in 2023. This downward trend is expected to continue in the months ahead.
Mini-LED display, 1,826,150dots/sqm
Company: Shenzhen Hopestar Sci-Tech Co. Ltd
Shenzhen Hopestar markets the HSLB-P0.7 Mini-LED display with 1,826,150dots/sqm pixel density, 0.79mm pixel pitch, ≥450cd/sqm brightness, 1/16 scan mode and 4,500Hz refresh rate. It has an average power consumption of 250 to 300W/sqm and a life span of 100,000 hours. This unit meets CE, ETL and RoHS requirements.
MOQ: Negotiable
Lead time: 10 days
Mini-LED display, 638,976dots/sqm
Company: Shenzhen Royal Display Technology Co. Ltd
The P1.25-64S from Shenzhen Royal is a Mini-LED display with 1.25mm pixel pitch, 638,976dots/sqm pixel density, ≥600cd/sqm brightness and ≥1,920Hz refresh rate. It has 4.5A panel current, 22W maximum power and meets CE, FCC and RoHS standards.
MOQ: 3sqm
Lead time: 10 days
Mini-LED display, 1,137,778pixels/sqm
Company: Shenzhen Sunrise Opto-Electronic Technology Co. Ltd
This IP41-rated Mini-LED display from Shenzhen Sunrise, the MINI-I0.9, has 0.9375mm pixel pitch, 1,137,778pixels/sqm density, 200 to 800cd/sqm brightness, 16-bit grayscale, 6,000:1 contrast ratio, 3,840Hz refresh rate, 1/60 scan mode and 140-degree viewing angle. The operating temperature is -10 to 60 C and the life span 100,000 hours.
MOQ: Negotiable
Lead time: 7 days
Mini-LED display, 1,137,777dots/sqm
Company: Shenzhen Topstar Electronics Co. Ltd
Model P0.93mm from Shenzhen Topstar is a Mini-LED display with 0.93mm pixel pitch, 1,137,777dots/sqm pixel density, 200 to 600cd/sqm brightness, 6,000:1 contrast ratio and 140-degree vertical and 160-degree horizontal viewing angles.
MOQ: 1sqm
Lead time: 10 days
